Donald W. Lammers

DONALD W. LAMMERS The Reverend Monsignor Donald W. Lammers, P.A., 92, a retired priest of the Diocese of Jefferson City, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 24, 2025, at St. Mary's Hospital in Jefferson City. Msgr. Lammers was born on July 28, 1933, at home in rural Cooper County, Missouri, the son of the late Augustine and Nellie (Schuster) Lammers. Living rural life meant that he helped on the family farm, tending to lambs, hogs, milk cows, cattle, and chickens. Msgr. Lammers attended St. Martin Parochial School and graduated from Pilot Grove High School in Pilot Grove, Missouri. In 1953, he was drafted into the United States Army, where he served until 1955, attaining the rank of Corporal. During his military service, he was an ambulance driver. Following his honorable discharge from the Army, he attended St. John Seminary in Kansas City, Cardinal Glennon College in St. Louis, and Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis. He obtained his Master's Degree in Religious Education from St. Louis University in 1975. He was ordained to the Holy Priesthood on March 26, 1966, by Most Reverend Joseph M. Marling, founding Bishop of the Diocese of Jefferson City, at St Martin Church, Choteau Springs, Missouri. His pastoral assignments included: Associate Pastor of Ss. Peter and Paul in Boonville, Associate Pastor of Holy Rosary in Monroe City, Associate Pastor of Immaculate Conception in Jefferson City, Chaplain of the Newman Center in Rolla, Pastor of St. Joseph in Salisbury, Chaplain of Moberly Area Correctional Center, Pastor of St. Cecelia in Meta, Pastor of Sacred Heart in Rich Fountain, Pastor of St. Peter in Jefferson City, and Pastor of Sacred Heart in Eldon. Over the years, he also served as Director of Religious Education, Director for the Ministry to Priests, Ministry to Priests Committee, Priests' Personnel Board, Diocese of Jefferson City Jubilee Fund, Diocesan Education Council, Dean of the Osage Deanery, Marriage Encounter, Engaged Encounter, Teens Encounter Christ, and Cursillo communities in the diocese. From 2001-2010, Msgr. Lammers served as Chaplain for the Missouri House of Representatives. He retired from the active priesthood on July 1, 2017, and continued to provide sacramental ministry in the diocese until his health prevented him from doing so. In 2006, at the request of Bishop John R. Gaydos, Pope Benedict XVI elevated Msgr. Lammers to the dignity of Protonotary Apostolic Supranumerary, the oldest and most prestigious of the honorary dignities in the Catholic Church, accompanied by the title, "Reverend Monsignor." He remained very close to his family throughout his life. He officiated many of the family's weddings, baptisms, and other religious events. With a shepherd's heart, Msgr. Lammers was a spiritual leader to all races and ages. His immense wisdom, grace, and humility were felt in every conversation he shared. Throughout his life, he would continually challenge others to grow deeper in their relationship with Christ. Anyone blessed to spend time with him would always leave with a sense of inner peace and serenity. Msgr. Don was a guiding light to his family and to every parish family he served. His impact and legacy extend far beyond the walls of the churches in which he celebrated the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Msgr. Lammers was an ordinary man who did extraordinary things in his humble service for our Lord. He is survived by his sister Joan Kammerich, Boonville; three brothers, James (Judy) Lammers, Boonville; John (Jewell) Lammers, Fulton; Robert (Karen) Lammers, Lawson, MO; 25 nieces and nephews; numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews; as well as his brother priests. He is preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Charles Lammers; a sister-in-law, Joan Lammers; and a brother-in-law, Edwin Kammerich. Visitation has been held on Monday, November 3, 2025, at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Jefferson City, preceded by a prayer service led by the Rev. Fred Elskamp. The Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at the Cathedral of St. Joseph, Jefferson City, with the Most Rev. Ralph B. O'Donnell, Bishop of Jefferson City, officiating along with priests of the diocese and guest priests concelebrating. Burial was on Tuesday at St. Joseph Cemetery in Pilot Grove, Missouri. Memorials are suggested to Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri or to the Diocese of Jefferson City. Services entrusted to Trimble Funeral Homes - Jefferson City. trimblefunerals.com